366 T. H. Streets—Earthquakes in Japan. 
climate of Japan this might imply some relation; but I am 
inclined to believe that the connection is only incidental. 
This climate is remarkable for its humidity. In March, 1881, 
there were nine shocks, and but two of them were associated 
with any noticeable meteorological disturbance; six were 
accompanied by remarkably fine weather. On the other hand, 
in April and May of the same year, we have it recorded of the 
former that there were light rains throughout the month, and 
three shocks, and of the latter that there were two shocks and 
but one clear day. Again, in December, 1880, there were 
three shocks, two of which are set down as smart, and one 
as severe, and the month presents no rainy days; and in 
December, 1881, the two shocks that occurred were associated 
with fine weather. On the other hand, August and September 
are remarkable for their excessive humidity. They have the 
greatest average rainfall, and are accompanied with violent 
atmospheric commotions; they are likewise periods of earth- 
quake calms. Other inconsistencies might be picked out, but 
quakes which occurred at Basle, and the countries around it, 
ascertained, to the surprise of the scientific world, that these 
phenomena are much more frequent in winter than in sum- 
mer.”—(Reclus.) The same results are obtained in the present 
analysis. They are here arranged as they occurred in the 
months and seasons : 
Dec. 8 Mar. 18 June 9 Sep. 2 
Jan.15 } 41 winter. Apr. 9} 35 spring. July 11} 27 summer. Oct.10 } 21 autumn. 
Feb. 18 May 8 Aug. 7 Nov. 9 
A gradual decline is noticed running through the seasons. If 
December be omitted, and March substituted as a winter month, 
a more remarkable contrast is observed. We should then have 
51, or 41 per cent, of the whole number of earthquakes occur 
ring in those three months. February and March are the 
months of the greatest earthquake activity. 
Professor Cleveland Abbé believes that the greater preva 
lence of the shocks in winter than in summer is dependent 0? 
climatological considerations. He says: “If it were an annua 
period independent of wet and dry climatological seasons, 
before alluded to, it would be of deep import.” Earthquake, 
A ppleton’s hee tae In Angust, 1878, there were 19 
rainy days and a rainfall of 6°62 inches; in September, of the 
same year, there were 18 rainy days and a rainfall of 17°97 
inches, and but one shock oceurred, on the 30th of the latter. 
month. In 1879, September had a rainfall of 5°80 inches an@ 
